4. PLAN AHEAD
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” You can wish for your 30something body back, but without strong goals and plans, it may not happen. Now more than ever, you need to focus on meal planning so you don’t rely on going out to eat all the time. I see this in a lot of my patients who are 50 and older. They don’t cook as much because their kids have grown up and moved out. Plan ahead by chopping fresh veggies on the weekend, making soups you can freeze, and having healthy convenient food options (like frozen quinoa, vegetables, and wild salmon burgers) ready in a pinch.
5. APPLY A ‘JUST A FEW BITES’ APPROACH
Have you ever found yourself trying not to eat that piece of chocolate cake you’ve been craving all day, so you end up eating everything else in its path (and probably still eat the cake, too)? One way to enjoy some of the foods you want without reaping the negative consequences is to allow yourself a few bites. This tactic has helped many of my patients who are going on vacation or dealing with the struggle of powerful cravings.
6. FOCUS ON QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Straight calorie counting is not always effective because it forces you to start obsessing more about quantity rather than quality. Research already supports the notion that when comparing a higher quality whole foods diet with a standard processed food diet and calorie counting, the whole foods diet can help aid more in weight loss. Get rid of the pressure of counting every calorie.
7. TURN OFF THE TV
Studies have found if you eat in front of the TV when it’s turned on, you may consume 13 to 25 percent more calories than if the TV was turned off. Further, a recent survey shows most Americans stop eating when their plate is empty or their TV show has ended. It may be extremely beneficial to tune into your mindful eating habits by turning off the TV and listening to your body.
REMEMBER…
Weight loss success, at any age, is based on many different factors. After 50, these factors increase. Don’t throw in the towel, though. It’s never too late to change your lifestyle habits and find a weight that makes you happy and healthy.